Symptoms of spina bifida

What it is

Spina bifida is a condition that affects the spine and is usually apparent at birth. It is a type of neural tube defect (NTD).

Spina bifida can happen anywhere along the spine if the neural tube does not form properly or close all the way.

When the neural tube doesn't close all the way, the backbone that protects the spinal cord doesn't form and close. This often results in damage to the spinal cord and nerves.

In the United States

Each year, about 1,278 babies are born with spina bifida, or 1 in every 2,875 births.1Hispanic women have the highest rate of having a child with spina bifida compared with non-Hispanic white and non-Hispanic black women.

Data from birth defects tracking programs were used to estimate the total number of pregnancies affected by spina bifida in the United States and are estimated as follows:

• Hispanic: 3.80 per 10,000 live births
• Non-Hispanic black or African-American: 2.73 per 10,000 live births
• Non-Hispanic white: 3.09 per 10,000 live births

Types

The three most common types of spina bifida inclu

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